Uruguay: Market for Refined or Synthetic Glycerol 2025

Market Size for Refined or Synthetic Glycerol in Uruguay

The Uruguayan refined or synthetic glycerol market skyrocketed to $X in 2022, surging by 89% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption recorded a buoyant increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports of Refined or Synthetic Glycerol

Exports from Uruguay

In 2022, approx. X tons of refined or synthetic glycerol were exported from Uruguay; with a decrease of -32.6% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 79% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, refined or synthetic glycerol exports shrank dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 63%. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Chile (X tons) was the main destination for refined or synthetic glycerol exports from Uruguay, accounting for a 66% share of total exports. Moreover, refined or synthetic glycerol exports to Chile exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Guatemala (X tons), twofold. Brazil (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 3.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Chile was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Guatemala (0.0% per year) and Brazil (-24.2% per year).

In value terms, Chile ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for refined or synthetic glycerol exports from Uruguay, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Guatemala ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Paraguay, with a 6.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Chile was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Guatemala (0.0% per year) and Paraguay (-10.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average refined or synthetic glycerol export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Paraguay ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Guatemala ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Brazil (+7.2%).

Imports of Refined or Synthetic Glycerol

Imports into Uruguay

After three years of decline, purchases abroad of refined or synthetic glycerol increased by 30% to X tons in 2022. In general, total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 44%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refined or synthetic glycerol imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a buoyant increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) constituted the largest refined or synthetic glycerol supplier to Uruguay, with a 87% share of total imports. Moreover, refined or synthetic glycerol imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Argentina (X tons), more than tenfold. China (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Brazil stood at +35.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (-7.0% per year) and China (+35.9% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constituted the largest supplier of refined or synthetic glycerol to Uruguay, comprising 80% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Brazil totaled +39.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+0.2% per year) and China (+39.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average refined or synthetic glycerol import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 71% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw temperate growth. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+28.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :